How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
If you have a large amount of credit card debt that you’re struggling to pay down, the Citi Simplicity® Card is a great option. Where this card stands out from other balance transfer cards is the length of its intro APR period on balance transfers: You’ll get nearly two years to pay down your transferred balance before interest charges kick in. The card also offers a lower fee for balances that are transferred in the first four months of card ownership.
How much can you save on a balance transfer? By our estimates, the average cardholder can save $1,180 by transferring their existing, high-interest balance to the Citi Simplicity® Card.
The Citi Simplicity® Card also comes with a $0 annual fee and offers a decent intro APR on purchases. But there’s no rewards program — which means the card may not be worth keeping around once you pay off your transferred balance.
Want to transfer high-interest debt to a 0% APR card? Check out the best credit cards for balance transfers
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Intro Balance Transfer APR | Regular Balance Transfer Rate | Balance Transfer Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Citi Simplicity® Card*
|
0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers | 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) | There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5) | ||
Citi Double Cash® Card
 Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers | 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) | There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5) |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card*
|
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers | 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR | 5%, min: $5 | ||
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card*
|
0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles on Balance Transfers | 17.74% - 28.74% (Variable) | An introductory fee of either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, for balances transferred within 60 days of account opening. After that, either 5% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater. |
Extremely long intro APR on balance transfers
The Citi Simplicity® Card offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers, then an 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR. This is an exceptionally long interest-free period for balance transfers — especially considering that most balance transfer cards offer 0% intro APRs of 15 months or less.
Low intro balance transfer fee
With the Citi Simplicity® Card, there is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
That fee will be added to the amount you transfer to the Citi Simplicity® Card. For example, if you transfer a $6,000 balance in the first four months, a $180 fee will be added to what you owe.
By comparison, two of the Citi Simplicity® Card’s closest competitors — the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card and the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card — don’t offer intro balance transfer fees. That means you’ll have to pay $300 to transfer a balance to those cards.
We should note that there are a select few credit cards available that don’t charge balance transfer fees. But, those cards offer much shorter introductory periods on balance transfers than the Citi Simplicity® Card.
“When looking for a balance transfer credit card, I wasn’t thinking about perks or rewards — I just wanted the longest period possible to pay off some high-interest debt. The Citi Simplicity® Card gave me almost two years to pay off my balance interest-free. Plus, the balance transfer fee was lower compared to other cards I looked at. I haven’t used the card since I paid off my balance transfer, but it really helped me get my finances back on track.”
– Will Collicott, credit cards writer at LendingTree
Lengthy balance transfer window
While most balance transfer cards require you to transfer your balance within the first 60 days of opening your account to take advantage of the intro APR, the Citi Simplicity® Card gives you four months.
This extra time can be a lifeline if you’re not quite ready to transfer your balance within the first two months of card membership.
How long will my balance transfer take?
For a new credit card account, Citi will begin processing your balance transfer request 14 days after the date your account is opened. After the 14-day period, balance transfers can take up to 10 days to process, depending on the disbursement method you select.
Read more about how to do a Citi balance transfer.
Solid intro APR on purchases
If you need to finance a large purchase and pay it off over time, the Citi Simplicity® Card offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months on Purchases. After that, an 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR applies. That said, if you take advantage of this card’s balance transfer offer, we suggest that you avoid making new purchases on your card until you pay your transferred balance in full.
Limited fees
Along with offering a $0 annual fee, the Citi Simplicity® Card will not apply late fees or a penalty APR if you happen to pay your bill late.
But it goes without saying that it’s extremely important to pay your credit card bill on time each month to avoid negatively affecting your credit score.
No rewards program
You won’t earn rewards for the purchases you make with the Citi Simplicity® Card. There’s also no sign-up bonus. But that’s pretty standard for balance transfer cards with intro APRs for 21 months.
If you’re willing to settle for a slightly shorter intro APR period, there are balance transfer cards with rewards. For example, the Citi Double Cash® Card comes with a 0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers (18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) APR afterwards) and offers cash back on every purchase.
Mediocre benefits
While the Citi Simplicity® Card offers a handful of basic benefits, like automatic account alerts and identity theft protection, it lacks other popular perks and protections, like purchase protection, extended warranty, cellphone insurance and annual credits.
If you prefer a balance transfer card with more benefits, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card may be a better fit, since it offers cellphone protection and roadside assistance.
The Citi Double Cash® Card offers a 0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers, then an 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) APR. The card also lets you earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
Like the Citi Simplicity® Card, the Citi Double Cash® Card comes with a $0 annual fee, an intro balance transfer fee and a four-month balance transfer window. But unlike the Citi Simplicity® Card, the Citi Double Cash® Card does not offer an intro APR on purchases.
While the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has a $0 annual fee, it does charge a higher balance transfer fee than the Citi Simplicity® Card: 5%, min: $5. For example, if you transfer a $6,000 balance, you’ll be subject to a $300 fee with the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card, compared to just $180 with the Citi Simplicity® Card.
That said, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card provides more benefits than the other cards in this post, including cellphone insurance and roadside dispatch.
There’s also an introductory fee of either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, for balances transferred within 60 days of account opening. After that, either 5% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card doesn’t offer a rewards program. But it does come with limited benefits, like cellphone insurance.
If you’re trying to pay off your high-interest debt, it’s tough to beat the Citi Simplicity® Card. The card offers one of the longest intro APR periods on balance transfers, as well as a lengthy balance transfer window. Additionally, the card comes with an intro APR on purchases, a $0 annual fee and doesn’t apply late fees and penalty APRs.
The Citi Double Cash® Card is also worth considering if you need to transfer a credit card balance. Along with a great intro APR offer, the card offers cash back on every purchase — making it ideal if you plan to use the card after you pay off your transferred balance in full.
The information related to the Citi Simplicity® Card, Wells Fargo Reflect® Card and U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
